André Robinson has had a peripatetic career as a Teacher, Writer, Producer, Director, and Community and Cultural Organizer. He also works around the country as a Producer of Creative Content in an array of expressions.

After college, Mr. Robinson began his career in theater with the Ebony Impromptu Theater Company, directed by Harry Poe. Taking advantage of a scholarship with Dance Theater of Harlem, he moved to New York City, and after working with several companies as an Actor and Writer, soon became the Artistic Director of Roger Furman’s New Heritage Theater. With the company’s President, Voza Rivers, he focused on ensuring that Black theater in New York received equitable investment from city and state government.

As an independent Teaching Artist, Mr. Robinson worked with school systems in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., using theater, dance, and creative writing to develop communication skills for grade-school children. His work included Doing What the Crowd Does, an anti-drug program created by
experimental Animation Artist Peter Wallach (son of Eli).

 

He continued to produce, direct, and write/edit for productions at the New Federal Theater and other New York venues, including co-producing Jonin’ with Joe Papp at the Public Theater and New Heritage Theater. He spent two seasons with the Center for Theater Techniques in Education, using Shakespeare to coach and develop communication skills in Connecticut trade schools. For several years he worked with Jacques D’Amboise’s National Dance Institute, developing curriculum and helping stage The Event
of the Year at Madison Square Garden.

Mr. Robinson and Mr. Rivers also helped spearhead the emergence of Black South African theater in America with their productions of Woza Albert!, Asinamali, and eventually Sarafina, which went on to international fame.

He then accepted a position with the rapidly emerging Crossroads Theater in New Jersey as their General Manager, Managing Director, and eventually Executive Producer. Working with the Founding Members, he developed creative collaborations nationwide, built a new theater in the center of town (the first of its kind in the U.S.), led a global touring operation, and launched a new play festival still active today, The Genesis Festival. This success led to repeating similar revitalization efforts for theater properties and creative venues in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Baltimore, Emeryville, and other locations around the country.

Mr. Robinson is proud to have served as Managing Director and Chief of Staff for Belafonte Enterprises, working on the relaunch of SEIU 1199’s Bread & Roses initiative and creating the framework for Harry Belafonte’s Sankofa Project and The Justice League. He has served on the boards of the Westport
Community Economic Development Corporation and the Innovative Housing Initiative, strengthening the connection between culture and community revitalization.

He currently consults for Peer Advocates Training and Consulting, working with police departments and municipal organizations seeking cultural competence, leadership training, belonging, and improved communication for their staff and constituents.